VEAZIE – William Charles Simpson Sr. said last week in his commencement address that he felt like he had spent the last 40 years on a quest – one he hopes will end next year when he becomes a United Methodist minister.

Simpson, 57, of Troy earned his bachelor’s degree in biblical studies from Grace Evangelical College and Seminary in Bangor. This year’s only graduate of the school housed in Bangor Baptist Church on outer Broadway, Simpson was awarded the degree Thursday night in a ceremony at Veazie Congregational Church.

He is the third graduate of the evangelical seminary founded seven years ago. In the fall, the school will move to the building it is purchasing on Odlin Road in Bangor.

Simpson graduated in 1968 from Germantown High School in Pennsylvania where the theme of his graduation was taken from the musical “Man of La Mancha.” He said Thursday that he often had thought he was on a quest similar to that of Don Quixote, the main character, striving “to reach the unreachable star” but knowing God was always with him.

“For 40 years, despite repeated failure, he has guided my footsteps,” Simpson said. “For 40 years, God has been renewing and securing my faith. Now, he has called me to be a pastor in his church.”

Simpson was raised in the Presbyterian church and worked as a police officer in Philadelphia before moving to Maine in 1982 when he went to work for the U.S. Postal Service. He was able to pursue his biblical studies after his retirement a few years ago.

He said last week that his experiences in law enforcement were good preparation for the ministry because it taught him to communicate with people “regardless of where they’re at in life and no matter what financial level they’re on.”

“It’s given me a better perspective,” Simpson said last week. “I’m able to look for the person, not just look at the problem. Having been a cop, nothing shocks me as far as what people can do to themselves or another person.

“Sometimes, people are so shocked they can’t understand. Then, sin becomes a wall rather than an opportunity.”

He said in his graduation speech that he was glad his 40 years of metaphorical wandering were over but planned, like Don Quixote, to keep striving for that unreachable star in the quest God has laid out for him.

jharrison@bangordailynews.net

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